The Saddest Happiest Christmas

 Charity Cottam (2020)

One Christmas Eve morning the Davidson family got ready for Christmas. When it was dinner time, Lucy said: “What would happen if we didn’t get presents because Santa can’t afford them?”

Her older brother Jack, said: “Don’t be silly. Santa doesn’t buy toys. His elves make them.” Then it was bedtime.

When they woke up, they ran to the Christmas tree. They did not see any presents. Lucy said: “I thought Santa could not afford toys.” Just then, Jack saw something stuck to the wall.  Jack pulled it off the wall. He read it.  It said: “There is a scavenger hunt. This is your first clue: This clue will lead you to the kitchen.”

Lucy found and read the next clue. It said: “The next clue you will find is in Jack’s bed.”

Lucy found the next clue, but Jack read it.  It said: “The last clue you will find is in your parent’s rom.” Lucy said: “Mom and Dad’s room? But they are asleep!” “No they are not,” said Jack.  “They aren’t?” said Lucy. “Didn’t you see them when we were in the kitchen?” said Jack. “Ask them if we can go in their room,” said Lucy.

They asked their Mom. Their mom said: “Yes.”

When they got in their Mom’s room, they found sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many presents!

The Other Wise Man

 Henry Van Dyke

The other wise man’s name was Artaban. He was one of the Magi and he lived in Persia. He was a man of great wealth, great learning, and great faith. With his learned companions he had searched the scriptures as to the time that the Savior should be born. They knew that a new star would appear and it was agreed between them that Artaban would watch from Persia and the others would observe the sky from Babylon.

On the night he believed the sign was to be given, Artaban went out on his roof to watch the night sky. “IF the star appears, they will wait for me ten days, then we will all set out together for Jerusalem. I have made ready for the journey by selling all of my possessions and have bought three jewels—a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. I intend to present them as my tribute to the King.”

As he watched, an azure spark was born out of the darkness, rounding itself with splendor into a crimson sphere. Artaban bowed his head. “It is the sign,” he said. “The King is coming, and I will go to meet him.”

The swiftest of Artaban’s horses had been waiting saddled and bridled in her stall, pawing the ground impatiently. She shared the eagerness of her master’s purpose.

As Artaban placed himself upon her back, he said, “God bless us both from falling and our souls from death.”

They began their journey. Each day his faithful horse measured off the allotted proportion of the distance, and at nightfall on the tenth day, they approached the outskirts of Babylon. In a little Island of desert palm trees, Artaban’s horse scented difficulty and slackened her pace. Then she stood still, quivering in every muscle.

Artaban dismounted. The dim starlight revealed the form of a man lying in the roadway. His skin bore the mark of a deadly fever. The chill of death was in his lean hand. As Artaban turned to go, a sigh came from the sick man’s lips.

Artaban felt sorry that he could not stay to minister to this dying stranger, but this was the hour toward which his entire life had been directed. He could not forfeit the reward of his years of study and faith to do a single deed of human mercy. But then, how could he leave his fellow man alone to die?

“God of truth and mercy,” prayed Artaban, “direct me in the path of wisdom which only thou knowest.” Then he knew that he could not go on. The Magi were physicians as well as astronomers. He took off his robe and began his work of healing. Several hours later the patient regained consciousness. Artaban gave him all that was left of his bread and wine. He left a potion of healing herbs and instructions for his care.

Though Arataban rode with the greatest haste the rest of the way, it was after dawn that he arrived at the designated meeting place. His friends were nowhere to be seen. Finally, his eyes caught a piece of parchment arranged to attract his attention. It said, “We have waited till past midnight, and can delay no longer. We go to find the King. Follow us across the desert.”

Artaban sat down in despair and covered his face with his hands. “How can I Cross the desert with no food and with a spent horse? I must return to Babylon, sell my sapphire and buy camels and provisions for the journey. I may never overtake my friends. Only the merciful God knows whether or not I shall lose my purpose because I tarried to show mercy.”

Several days later when Artaban arrived at Bethlehem, the streets were deserted. It was rumored that Herod was sending soldiers, presumably to enforce some new tax, and the men of the city had taken their flocks into the hills beyond his reach.

The door of one dwelling was open, and Artaban could hear a mother singing a lullaby to her child. He entered and introduced himself. The woman told him that it was now the third day since the three wise men had appeared to Bethlehem. They had found Joseph and Mary and the young child and had laid their gifts at His feet. Then they had gone as mysteriously as they had come. Joseph had taken his wife and babe that same night and secretly fled. It was whispered that they were going far away into Egypt.

As Artaban listened, the baby reached up its dimpled hand and touched his cheek and smiled. His heart warmed at the touch. Then suddenly, outside there arose a wild confusion of sounds. Women were shrieking. Then a desperate cry was heard, “The soldiers of Herod are killing the children!”

Artaban went to the doorway. A band of soldiers came hurrying down the street. The captain approached the door to trust Artaban aside, but Artaban did not stir. His face was calm as though he were still watching the stars. Finally, his out-stretched hand revealed the giant ruby. He said, “I am waiting to give this jewel to the prudent captain who will go his way and leave this house alone.”

The captain, amazed at the splendor of the gem, took it and said to his men, “March on, there are no children here.”

Then Artaban prayed, “Oh God, forgive my sin. I have spent for men that which was meant for God. Shall I ever be worthy to see the face of the King?”

But the voice of the woman, weeping of joy in the shadows behind him said softly, “Thou has saved the life of my little one. May the Lord bless thee and keep thee and give thee peace.”

Artaban, still following the King went on into Egypt seeking everywhere for traces of the little family that had fled before him. For many years we follow Artaban in his search. We see him at the pyramids. We see him in Alexandria takin counsel with a Hebrew rabbi who told him to seek the King not among the rich but among the poor.

He passed through countries where famine lay heavy upon the land, and he poor were crying for bread. He made his dwelling in plague-stricken cities. He visited the oppressed and the afflicted in prisons. He searched the crowded slave-markets. Though he found no one to worship, he found many to serve. As the years passed, he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, healed the sick and comforted the captive.

Thirty-three years had now passed away since Artaban began his search. His hair was as white as snow. He knew his life’s end was near, but he was still desperate with hope that he would find the King. He had come for the last time to Jerusalem.

It was the season of the Passover and the city was thronged with stringers. Artaban inquired where they were going. One answer, “We are going to the execution on Golgotha outside the city walls. Two robbers are to be crucified, and with them another called Jesus of Nazareth, a man who has done many wonderful works among the people. He claims to be the Son of God and the priests and elders have said he must die. Pilate sent him to the cross.”

How strangely these familiar words fell upon the tired heart of Artaban. They had led him for a lifetime over land and sea. And now they came to him like a message of despair. They King had been denied and cast out. Perhaps he was already dying. Could he be the same one for whom the star had appeared thirty-three long years ago?

Artaban’s heart beat loudly within him. He thought, “It may be that I shall yet find the Kind and be able to ransom him from death by giving my treasure to his enemies.”

But as Artaban started toward Calvary, he saw a troop of soldiers coming down the street, dragging a sobbing young woman. As Artaban paused, she broke away from her tormentors and threw herself at his feet. Her arms clasped around his knee.

“Have pity on me,” she cried. “And save me. My father was also of the Magi, but he is dead. I am to be sold as a slave to pay his debts.”

Artaban trembled as he again felt the conflict arising in his soul. It was the same that he had experienced in the palm grove of Babylon and in the cottage at Bethlehem. Twice the gift which he had consecrated to the King had been drawn from his hand to the service of humanity. Would he now fail again? One thing was clear, he must rescue this helpless child from evil.

He took the pearl and laid it in the hand of the girl and said “Daughter, this is the ransom. It is the last of my treasures which I had hoped to keep for the King.”

While he spoke, the darkness of the sky thickened, and the shuddering tremors of an earthquake ran through the ground. The houses rocked. The soldiers fled in terror. Artaban sank beside a protecting wall. What had he to fear? What had he to hope for? He had given away the last of his tribute to the King. The quest was over, and he had failed. What else mattered?

The earthquake quivered beneath him. A heave tire shaken from a roof fell and struck him. He lay breathless and pale. Then there came a still small voice through the twilight. It was light distant music. The rescued girl leaned over him and heard him say, “Not so, my Lord; for when saw I thee a stringer and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee? When saw I thee sick or in prison and came unto three? Thirty-three years have I looked for thee; but I have never seen thy face, nor minister unto three, my King.”

The sweet voice came again, “Verily I saw unto thee, that inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou has done it unto me.”

A calm radiance of wonder and joy lighted the face of Artaban as one long, last breath exhaled gently from his lips. His journey was ended. His treasure accepted. The Other Wise Man had found the King.

A Christmas Surprise

 Jane McBride

Anna’s heart sank as she walked into the room and saw the Christmas tree. The water heater in their house had burst, and water was all over the floor. Dad was still trying to clean up the mess. The few presents under the tree were completely soaked.

Anna and her little brothers grabbed some towels and tried to dry the presents. But it didn’t really work. They were a soggy mess.

Anna’s family was going through a hard time. Her dad didn’t have a job right now. Her mom was going to have a baby soon, and she felt sick a lot. And now they wouldn’t have any presents for Christmas.

That night as Anna got ready for bed, she could hear Mom and Dad talking in the kitchen.

“What are we going to do?” Mom asked. It sounded like she was crying. “We don’t have enough money for the house payment, and now we don’t even have presents for the kids.” Anna had an empty, twisty feeling in her stomach.

“We’ll figure something out,” Dad said.

Anna walked into the kitchen. Mom reached out and gave her a big hug. With her arms around Mom’s tummy, Anna felt the baby move. She smiled. “We have a new baby coming. You always say that a baby is a miracle.”

Mom smiled back. “That’s right. We have a lot to be grateful for.”

“We have each other,” Dad said. He kissed the top of Anna’s head. “It’ll be OK.”

On the way to her room, Anna heard her brothers crying. She sat down on David’s bed.

“Everyone is so sad,” David said quietly.

“And we won’t have any presents,” Robbie said, sniffling.

“It’ll be OK,” Anna said again. “You’ll see.”

Before she got into bed, Anna knelt and asked Heavenly Father what she could do for her family. She didn’t have any money to buy presents, but she still had a warm, comforting feeling in her heart.

The next morning, she stayed in bed thinking for a few minutes before getting ready for school. Then an idea came to her! That afternoon she hurried home and did her chores and homework. Then she found some paper and string and a few markers and stickers she had gotten for her birthday. She took them all to her room and closed the door.

Anna almost laughed when she thought about how surprised her family would be. First she folded the paper and tied it together with string to make four booklets. She chose a star sticker to put on Mom’s booklet and a planet for Dad’s. She put a dog for David’s booklet and a rocket for Robbie’s.

Then Anna started drawing. For Mom she drew a picture of herself sweeping the floor. She drew a picture of herself cooking dinner with Dad, one of her playing soccer with David, and one of her reading a book to Robbie. It took her several days to fill each booklet with pictures.

Finally it was Christmas Eve, and Anna carefully placed her booklets under the tree.

The next morning, she gave each person in her family a booklet. “I like these pictures,” David said. “I like playing soccer.”

“They’re not just pictures,” Anna said with a sparkle in her eyes. “They’re coupons! The pictures all show things I’ll do for you.”

“This is the nicest gift you could have given us,” Mom said as she looked through her booklet. Anna was thankful that Heavenly Father helped her think of making Christmas coupons. A new baby was coming, and with Heavenly Father’s help, everything really would be OK.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

 Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

The Night Before Christmas

 John Carlos Checketts (2019)

Saint Nick was very old. He lived to see the day of his family members and friends. He rode on a reindeer.

He had 8 other reindeers. He called them all these different names, at first he couldn’t remember all of their names, but Rudolf was one of them. Rudolph lead the way, he was the first one.                                      

But then Santa remembered some names, they were Prancer, Vixen, Common, Cupid, and Blixen but most of all he remembered Rudolf, because he had a shiny nose and could lead Santa’s sleigh tonight.

His nose was so bright that he could see everything down below from the houses.

All the other reindeers were pulling on Santa’s sleigh bells because they needed Santa’s help.

The elves had help put presents in Santa’s sleigh they had taken them out of the workshop.

Rudolph needed some friends, so he had all the other reindeer as his friends

It was a very happy time for other families.

This Saint Nick, who was really John, came to town every year for once a month.

But this Santa Claus was even better than the last one because he had a bag full of toys.

The children hung their stockings by the chimney with care.  Santa came and filled up their stockings by the fireplace. He gave each child a nice toy to play with.

Each child said, “Thank you” to Santa Claus that night.

Then Santa tucked them into bed. The children slept in their beds nice and safe and warm.

They were dreaming about sugarplums dancing in their heads.

They had a Christmas dinner feast the next day. They were so grateful for their family, like their mom and dad, and their grandma and grandpa and Aunts and Uncles, and all their relatives.   

Around their Christmas tree were a lot of presents for the Children.        

 It was a great year for Santa that year. He left all the houses and was so grateful he was so loving and dear.                                           

 To the end of this story is that they had candles in their windows so that they could see.

They were so blessed and grateful to have their loving Dad and family there always at Christmas time.

 There were some songs at the end like, Joy to the World and Silent night and We 3 kings of Orient Are…., oh Come All Ye Faithful, What Child is this?, and Frosty the Snowman.

 This story is for you with Love, from Santa Claus who is John, who is Caring for other people.

"For Always"

 Will Fish

In 1994 two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear for the first time the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.

Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby’s blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat—he looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy’s manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

Quickly I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately—until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

Then Misha started to ad lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, “And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn’t, because I didn’t have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much so I thought maybe if I kept him warm that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, “If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?” And Jesus told me, “If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.” So I got into the manger and then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with him—for always.”

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him—for always.

Old Santa Himself!

 Floyd Atkin

“I remember well the last Christmas (1921) we spent in this little house in St. George. Velva and I were having trouble trying to get calmed down enough to get to bed on Christmas Eve. The front door opened and who should come bounding in but Old Santa himself! All I remember of what he said was, that if we weren’t in bed and asleep when he came back in half an hour, he would have to go on his way because he was too busy to wait for us to get to bed. I don’t know how long it took us to go to sleep, but I can tell you we were already in bed with our eyes closed before he got out the front door.

“Some people in the family said Santa was Aunt Bessie, but I still know it was Santa. He visited Wilford and LaReta [the Lake Family cousins] the same night and they knew it was Santa, too. You can fool grownups, but you can’t fool kids.”

Woodbury, L. A. (1989). Sagebrush and Wildflowers: A Legacy of William Atkin and Lula Palmer Atkin. Pg 101

No Room at the Inn (Stage Play)

 John Bevalere Cox

Inn Keeper:	Be off with you, peasant. We have no room for the likes of you here.
Traveler:	But I must find lodging for the night. My wife is heavy with child, and her time is very near.
Inn Keeper:	Alt the more reason why you cannot stay here. We have no facilities to accommodate such events.
Traveler:	Please, don't you have something- anything- a smaller room, a closet? Anything, anything to get us in off the street and out of the weather? See how she travails.
Inn Keeper:	Be off with you, I say there is NO ROOM at this inn! Away with you!
Traveler:	Come, Mary, there is no room for us here. We'll have to look elsewhere.
Inn Keeper:	(Overheard  as  the  travelers  are  leaving) Of course we have room for you Rabbi.  There are always accommodations at our inn for such a noble person as you.   You shall have our finest.
Mary:	But Joseph, I don't know how much farther I can go. The time is very near.
Traveler:	(Turning back to the Inn for one more plea to be considered.) Sir, Please!
Inn Keeper:	BE OFF WITH YOU, I SAY. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR YQU AT THIS INN!
Mary:	Joseph! Oh, have mercy! JOSEPH! JOSEPH!! Ohhh!
Joseph:	I know, Mary, I know, I know. We'll find something.
Narrator:	They try a second inn
Second Inn:	Sir, I truly wish I had room for you, but I do not. I am full and then some. The taxation decree, you know. It would seem all of Judea is here tonight.
Mary:	Joseph! What are we to do? The time is near. I cannot bear this child in the middle of the street.
Joseph:	Try to be patient, dear. God will provide.
Narrator:	They try a second inn
Third Inn:	Sorry, no room.
Narrator:	They try a second inn
Fourth Inn:	Full up!
Narrator:	And yet another.
Next Inn:	Begone! Our rooms are all full.
Narrator:	After several other tries.
A later Inn:	Sir, I am bulging at the seams with lodgers tonight.   I have no rooms - none at all.   I am truly sorry.   (He sees Mary’s urgent need.)   But there are the stables outback.  Perhaps you can find shelter there, if you can squeeze in. They too are full - the animals of the guests, you know.   You'll find the stables in  the  cave  just  across  the  way
Joseph:	Bless you, Sir. Bless you. We'll find our way.
Narrator:	Joseph cleared out a stall and cleaned away the animal residue, as best he could. He found some clean straw and placed it on the floor to make a bed for Mary. He spread a blanket down. (It was certainly no suite at the Royal Inn. The smell of the animals was heavy.)
Joseph:	"This is no place to bring forth the Son of God! But under the circumstances, it will have to do. "Are you comfortable, Mary?"
Mary:	As well as can be expected, I suppose.
Narrator:	Seeing that Mary was settled, Joseph turned his attention to preparing a place for the child whose arrival was now imminent.   Again he found straw, as clean and soft and tender as possible.   He spread it with care in the manger and covered it with the blanket which they had brought for this purpose. Although it was night, and they were well into the cave, it was curiously light.  It was as though daylight had followed them into their makeshift shelter, and they were comforted by it.
Mary:	It's time, Joseph. It's time! Help Me. Help me!
Joseph:	Of course. Of course.
Narrator:	Joseph crouched beside Mary. His heart ached for her, seeing the pain that racked her weary body. There were no doctors.   There was no midwife.   There was no sterile delivery room, warm and clean.   There was only Joseph, and the cattle - and the caring, loving, protecting hand of God - the Father. The Inn keeper's wife had been kind enough to let Joseph have a pail of warm water and some soft cloths, which he might use to clean the baby, and the mother, after the ordeal.   "Let me know when it is time," she said, "and I'll try to come and help you."   But there was no time, and the babe was delivered into the hands of loving Joseph. The child was born!  It was a boy!   A strong, perfect, healthy boy!  THE SON OF GOD HAD BEEN BORN OF MARY, A VIRGIN! For truly, Joseph had not known her.     Joseph washed the tiny infant, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and lay him in the manger bed he had prepared. Then he ministered to Mary's needs. The curious light shown brighter, and seemed to gather directly over the manger where the baby lay. All the while, outside the cave, the night sky was wondrously aglow as though some heavenly presence were near.   Shepherds watching over their flocks on the Bethlehem hills were astonished by the phenomenon and wondered what it meant.
	Read the record of the event from Luke 2.
Song:	"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" or "Hark! The Harold Angels Sing". Perhaps both. "The First Noel"
Narrator:	The shepherds did as the angels bade them, and came to the manger, led by the heavenly choir, and by the light.   They found the holy babe, as the angels foretold, lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. They worshiped him! Joseph was curious about how they knew, so quickly,   of the birth, and where to find them.   The shepherds told Joseph and Mary of their heavenly visitation, and of the light that had guided them. Others came to see what great event had transpired,  and to learn the cause of the curious light that shown from the stable cave.  Their curiosity turned to awe and wonder,  when they saw the child,  and they too worshiped him. At length, Joseph prevailed upon the visitors to leave, so that Mary could get some much-needed rest. Joseph took note of all that had happened this night and gave thanks to God. Mary pondered these things in her heart. She took the babe and cradled it in her arms and sang.
Song:	“MARY’S LULLABY”
Narrator: Meantime	Across the world, in a land that Joseph and Mary and the shepherds knew not of, another scene was unfolding.  A scene mixed with hope and sorrow; faith and apprehension. It was now 600 years since the fathers had left the homeland. The prophets of this land had all prophesied that by this time, the Lord God was to have sent His Son into the world to save mankind from the fall of Adam. As late as five years ago, a Lamanite prophet named Samuel had prophesied, "Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. "And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it were day. "Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore ye shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born. "And behold there shall be a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you." (Helaman 14: 2-5) Now there were many who believed the words of the prophets, and they looked steadfastly toward the time that their words would be fulfilled. But there many who did not believe the words of the prophets, and they began to rejoice saying, "Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain." (3 Nephi 1:6)
	We go now to the household of Jacob and Sarah.
Sarah:	What is troubling you, Jacob?  For weeks now, and especially for the past few days, you have been beside yourself with apprehension.  You keep looking toward the sky, as if you expected some great disaster to befall us.
Jacob:	Do you not know?  Are you not aware?  The time is almost spent, which Samuel the prophet said should expire, before the coming of the Son of God to redeem the world. The disaster comes not from the sky, but from the unbelievers who have set a day that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass which had been given by Samuel the prophet. (3 Nephi 1:9)  How can I not be concerned?
Sarah:	You have reason to be concerned. But the day is not yet. Have faith and be of good cheer.
	Several days later
Sarah:	(Calling to children at play outside the door of her home.) "Come in now, children. The sun has gone down. It's time to get ready for supper."
Child:	But, mother, it's not dark yet. It's not even getting dark!
Sarah:	Now, Aaron, you know the sun went down some time ago. I'm sure you are having fun with your games, but you mustn't exaggerate. Come on in now, and get ready for supper.
2nd Child:	But, mother, It's true! It's not getting dark! In truth, the sun did set – quite a while ago - but it is NOT getting dark. It's as light as noonday.
3rd Child:	Yes, mother, come and see. What can it mean?
Sarah:	(At the door.) You are right! But I myself saw the sun sink below the horizon. Why does it not get dark, as always?
Narrator:	As they stand and wonder, Jacob comes rushing toward them, breathless with excitement.
Jacob:	Do you see! DO YOU SEE!  The sun has set, and it doesn't get dark! It is the sign! IT IS THE SIGN foretold by the prophets! The sign that the Son of God is to be born on the morrow!  Do you know what this means?!? The threat of extermination of those who believed the prophets has been averted!  Tomorrow was to have been the day, but the sign is here!  IT IS HERE! GLORY BE TO GOD! We are saved! We are saved. But, better than that, the Son of God is born. The LORD is come. THE LORD IS COME! GLORY BE TO GOD, AND HALLELUJAH!! HALLELUJAH!!
Song:	“Joy to the World” or “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plain”
Narrator:	And thus began the greatest story ever told, about the greatest life ever lived.  The life that has affected ALL of mankind, the whole world over, whatever land they live in. This tiny babe, born to a virgin mother in a manger, grew in stature, and waxed strong in knowledge, and wisdom, and in faith, a wondrous life to live, and an awesome mission to fulfill. His life was an example for all who would follow.  His sacrifice brought immortality to everyone; and eternal life to those who believe on His name, who repent, and who love Him sufficiently to follow His teaching and obey His commandments. We celebrate the great event of His birth as Christmas.  And we do it by the singing of carols, and with the giving of gifts, symbolic of the great gift He gave to us. HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD DAY!
Benediction:	By Invitation

The Reason for the Season

 John Bevalere Cox

 Our living rooms are filled these days with stories of Christmas.  Stories of Santa Clause, how he came to be - of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - How Mrs. Clause Saved Christmas - The Grinch Stole Christmas - The Littlest Angel - The Little Drummer Boy - Amahl and the Night Visitors - all stories concerned with beginnings and celebration - all quaint and pleasant stories that entertain us and fill us with make-believe - non committal ideas of a joyous time of the year where love and giving are paramount. They are fun and touching and warm and happy and we enjoy them. But I would like us to consider Christmas in the light of Him who is the center of it all, the reason for the season.

The word Christmas comes from the Catholic Christ Mass, which means the celebration of Christ.

When we celebrate an event, someone invariably seeks to unravel the web of circumstance that brought it into significance, and to consider its impress upon our lives and times. That will be my task here. I will be that someone.

Our celebration of Christmas, out of habit and convenience, centers around the birth of the infant Jesus; around the advent of a single child born in Bethlehem, far, far away in a manger, to a virgin mother long, long  ago; so long that doubters embolden themselves in expressing their derision  and skepticism.

But what child was this that the whole world would come to revere, and whose miraculous birth we celebrate, in one way or another; whose birth was announced by angels; who had kings and wise men seek him out that they might worship him, (Even skepticism and derision are forms of recognition) Whether Christian or otherwise, the whole world is affected.

If the birth of Jesus were the beginning of Christ, whom we are celebrating, then as with other men of prominence that should be the first knowledge we have of Him. But it is not, A prophet named Nephi, the son of Nephi, living in a land far, far removed from Bethlehem, knew of him by name and of His foreordained mission, and of His imminent birth, the day before it occurred, He knew of it by revelation from Christ Himself. (3Ne 1:13)

But was that the first we hear of Him? Elizabeth, Mary's cousin and the mother of John the Baptist, and Zacharias (her husband) knew of Him months before his birth, (Luke 1:39-45) Others too have been shown His coming and His mission back through the pages of time: Samuel the Lamanite, five years before His birth; Alma (son and father), Ammon, Mosiah, King Benjamin, Enos, Jacob (the brother of Nephi), Nephi, Lehi (600 years before His birth), the brother of Jared (2,000 years before His birth), likewise the Old Testament prophets from Malachi back through Jeramiah, Isaiah, David, Moses, Joseph (who was sold into Egypt), Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Noah, Enoch, all the way to Adam, And when we get to Adam we would suppose that would be the earliest we would be able to go, But we must go beyond Adam and the Garden of Eden, for even our first parents knew of the mission and purpose of Christ, and they taught it to their children. Where can we go beyond Adam? We must go back to that Grand Council in Heaven, before ever the earth was.

Here, in that Grand Council in Heaven, we sit with our brothers and sisters and listen as the Father outlines His plan for the mortal phase of our continuing progression, a progression toward becoming heirs to His glory.

We hear Him ask the question, "Whom shall I send to redeem man from his mortal state, and how shall it be administered?

We are there when one like unto the Son of Man, Lucifer by name, the enlightened and intelligent and powerful Son of the Morning says, "Here am I. Send me, I will be thy Son and I will redeem ALL mankind, that not one soul shall not be lost, And surely I will do it," then his selfish purposes surfaced, "wherefore give me thine honor, (Moses 4:1) In this he sought not only to destroy the agency of man, by limiting his choices, but also to usurp the very power of God. (Moses 4:3)  He selfishly moved for self-aggrandizement and ultimate power, and to exalt himself above God, if that were possible~

We also hear another, the Beloved Son of God, the beloved and chosen from the beginning say, "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever."  (Moses 4:2)

Lucifer's motives were purely selfish, as were those who followed him, because of the things he promised them.

The offer of the Beloved Son was unselfish, and made out of pure love, concern, and caring; caring for the Father, that His will be done in His way; caring and love for us, His brothers and sisters, that we may maximize our growth and progression through the exercise of choices and agency.

And so the offer of the latter was accepted.  His offer was completely unselfish.  The Beloved Son was chosen to be the savior, the redeemer, the Christ.

The hosts of heaven rejoiced at His selection as the one to implement the plan of the Father.

Let us now consider the singular nature of this immortal, eternal personage.  Let us determine if a celebration of Him is in order.

We have rehearsed how His coming forth was anticipated by all the prophets, and how the angels announced His arrival.  Has there ever been another whose advent was so widely known and anticipated; one who even before His arrival into mortality was known by name and by gender; Who had churches organized and named for Him, that devoted followers might worship Him and follow His teachings and gospel, all before he even arrived?  Has there ever been another who led and directed His people.to lands of promise; who spoke to them; who showed Himself to them, revealing how He would appear when He would manifest Himself in the flesh; who governed and taught them, before His mortal birth?

King's sire offspring and pray for a son to be their heir. They announce and herald his coming, and broadcast to all the arrival.  They rehearse his every move as he grows.  But these heirs have no impace upon men until after their arrival upon the scene and have proven their worthiness.  Their deeds may live on for a time after they have gone, and their influence may be felt in a localized arena, but even the Ceasars have lost their influence.

But review the impact of Jesus - the Christ - upon mankind. His worthiness was known before His arrival All the earth - all civilizations - have felt His influence, and continue to do so, whether Christian or otherwise.

No single life has had so profound an effect upon the world as has His.  All the kings, all the armies, all the prophets, all the learned scholars, all the teachers, builders, artists, and scientists combined, that have ever lived, have not affected the life of man as profoundly as has this single man. Yet, in His life, he was an obscure carpenter, from an obscure village, in an obscure country, and His mortal ministry lasted but three years.  He never had much of this world's goods, but He blessed all whom He knew. He lived but 33 to 34 years.  He suffered an ignominious death, hung on a cross between two thieves, and was buried in a borrowed tomb.

But He occupied that borrowed tomb for less than three days, for on the third day he arose from death, a resurrected, immortal being - a GOD - the first fruits of the resurrection; and the world has not been the same since.

The significance of the birth of Jesus cannot be set apart, in matters of import, from the supremacy of the agonizing atonement of the Christ, first in Gethsemane, then culminating in the willing surrender of His mortal life on the cross at Calvary.  The one cannot be separated from the other, any more than the resurgent splash, and after waves can be arrested after the cast stone violates the pristine surface of a calm pool of water.

It is the whole life of that GOD-MAN that we celebrate.  When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Christ:  not alone the birth, nor the crucifixion, nor the mortal life, but the WHOLE concept of Christ, and His being, from the Council in Heaven, to the Supremacy of His Godhood in the Celestial world yet to be.

No, dear children, Christmas did not begin in Bethlehem, nor will it end soon. Christmas is forever.

Christmas is Love, It is the celebration of that Christ-like quality of love, not the lustful, sensual, selfish, immoral assault on virtue that our present society has come to mistake for love - but that truly unselfish caring for another; that consideration for the well-being of another; that heartfelt concern and compassion for another's woes; and righteous rejoicing with them in their joy and happiness.  And we mean genuine on-going enduring to-the-end kind of true involvement that brings us to feel as he feels, giving of ourselves, without self-interest or without self-concern, sharing in times of need, as Christ did, accepting with gratitude the gifts offered in times of plenty.

We feel it all about us at Christmas time; in the cheery greetings; in the happy smiles; in the desire to do good things for each other. Our gift-giving is but a token of His love.  It is but a symbol of His generous unselfish gift to us.

Let us rejoice with the angels and prophets and sing with them, "Glory to God in the highest…for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and He shall reign forever and ever."  (Isaiah 9:6&7 paraphrased)

What a glorious time that will be, when Christ shall reign personally upon the earth. Turmoil and strife shall cease.'  Selfishness will be replaced with love of fellow man, and neighbor will trust neighbor, and there will be no poor among us.  Each can enjoy life and righteousness to the fullest, unmolested and without shame or fear of derisive comments from anyone.

Let the celebration of Christmas be as the words of a song, "It's not the things you do at Christmas, but the Christmas things you do all year through."

May Christmas enter into our hearts and there find a happy and enduring abode, I pray in the name of Him whom we celebrate at this joyous time,

AMEN

Why Did Mary Swaddle Her Baby?

 Sherrie Mills Johnson

When we read that Mary swaddled her baby, we think she merely wrapped him in a blanket. But that’s not what it meant to Mary and Joseph.

The reason swaddling was a significant sign for the shepherds is that instead of meaning simply wrapped, swaddling was a ritual performed for all legitimate babies. I like to imagine the process as Mary placed her baby diagonally on a swaddle cloth. Carefully she would then rub the baby with a small amount of finely powdered salt mixed with olive oil.

Once anointed, she would bring the corners of the swaddle cloth up and over the baby’s arms, legs, and torso.  Next she would take an end of the swaddle band, a linen cloth about four or five inches wide and up to six yards long, hold it under the baby’s chin, then wrapped it up over the forehead and then around and around the infant all the way down to the feet so that it held the baby’s limbs straight and stiff.

During their betrothal Mary would have made the swaddle band out of fine linen and she would have embroidered it so that both sides looked exactly the same with emblems of her tribe, the tribe of Judah. After the betrothal period and during the wedding, the band would be tied around the bride and groom’s hands as part of the ritual. (That is where we get the phrase “tied the knot.”) After the ceremony, the band would be rolled up and kept in a special place to be used when their first child was born for another ritual.

Thus, after Jesus was salted and swaddled in the band, Mary and Joseph would hold pray for a short time that the child would grow to be upright and righteous and that He would never walk in crooked paths, but would serve God. There is some debate about the reason swaddling was done, but according to the Law of Moses, all sacrifices were accompanied by salt and therefore salt is a symbol of covenants. Therefore, the explanation I like best for swaddling is that the baby was salted and swaddled to dedicate the child as a covenant child of the House of Israel.

Whatever the reason for salting and swaddling, a swaddled baby is a metaphor for a legitimate child that is loved and properly cared for, thus when Israel strays from the covenant Ezekiel chastises the people by saying, “Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee: thou was not salted at all, nor swaddled at all” (Ezekiel 16:4). In other words, Israel is so wicked they have become illegitimate children. They have chosen to be children of the gentiles rather than the legitimate children of their Father in Heaven who would have swaddled and cared for them.

I love this small detail about Mary swaddling her baby because it tells us so much. First of all, it gives us a glimpse into the heart of a devout woman who cared for her child in the best possible way. To us Jesus Christ is our Master, our Savior, our Protector, but for a time, to Mary, He was a dependent child. That is a relationship no one else will ever share with Him.

But there is something else. Of all people, Mary and Joseph knew the significance of this child and the circumstances concerning His conception. They knew that despite the rumors and hatemongers this child was legitimate and so by swaddling Him they proclaim to the entire world that this baby is indeed God’s legitimate Son.

One can only imagine what Mary thought as she wrapped Him in the swaddling bands she had so laboriously made. From the moment of the miraculous conception, Mary must have sought for any information about the fate of this child. There were many prophecies, and Mary must have hung on every word the rabbis and others taught about the coming Messiah. She must have asked questions and in the answers would have discovered the terrible fate that awaited her Son.

As she salted the baby did she think about the fact that all sacrifices in the temple were salted and that this child would be the real sacrifice for all sin? Did seeing him wrapped tightly in the swaddling bands of birth make her think of the shroud of death that would someday cover Him?

Whether she thought about any of these things or not, the bands Mary swaddled her Son in remind us of the day He was wrapped in burial linens and placed in a tomb. He was born to die for us, and by so doing He “swaddled” us, proclaiming us His legitimate children and providing a way to take away our “crookedness.” But most important, Jesus Christ has changed our burial linens into the swaddling bands of new birth.

December 9, 2014

A Tree for Travis

 Charlotte Mae Shepard

Jacqueline’s family talked and laughed as they walked through the snow-dusted woods. But behind them, Jacqueline quietly trudged with the speed of a melting snowman.

She had waited all year for her family’s Christmas-tree hunt. She had dreamed about crunching through the frosty forest, sipping hot cocoa, and decorating the perfect tree until every branch sparkled with lights.

But now the frost she had waited for was freezing her toes, and the hot cocoa in her thermos didn’t taste as sweet as usual. She kept thinking about Travis.

Travis was Jacqueline’s best friend. He used to have a house near hers, but this winter his family had to move into a small trailer. The move had been really hard for Travis. There wasn’t even enough room for a Christmas tree in their new place. And Travis loved Christmas trees!

Suddenly Jacqueline stopped. Popping up from the snow in front of her was a tiny pine sapling. Maybe it would fit in Travis’s new home! Jacqueline’s eyes lit up as she reached for it—

“Whoa!” Dad said, putting a mittened hand on her shoulder. “We can’t cut down the little trees. They need to grow for next year.”

As Dad continued through the forest, Jacqueline looked back at the sapling and smiled. She had an idea.

Hours later Jacqueline was walking through the snow again—but this time in her own backyard. From where she stood, she could just glimpse her family’s Christmas tree twinkling through the windows of their house. Their tree hunt was over, but hers wasn’t quite finished.

She walked next to the towering trees that marked the edge of her yard until she saw a pine branch growing low enough to reach. It was just the right size for Travis’s trailer. Dad had told her that taking one small branch wouldn’t hurt the tree too much.

With a grunt, Jacqueline broke off the branch. But it didn’t look at all like the Christmas tree twinkling inside. Making Travis’s tree was going to be harder than she thought!

The next day Jacqueline sat in the car and watched the forest rush by in a blur of brown and green.

“Aren’t you excited to give Travis his tree?” Mom asked.

Jacqueline shrugged. She had spent all day trying to make the little tree look just right, but it didn’t end up nearly as nice as she wanted.

They parked in front of Travis’s trailer, and Jacqueline opened the trunk. When she saw the tree, her heart sank. It was lopsided, with needles dropping from its branches. Even the ribbons Jacqueline had tied around it were crumpled. Hot tears stung at the corner of Jacqueline’s eyes. It looked nothing like a real Christmas tree. It would probably just make Travis’s Christmas worse!

The door to the trailer swung open, and Travis bounded down the steps. With a deep breath, Jacqueline held out the tree. “Merry Christmas!” she said shakily.

When Travis saw the tree, a grin spread across his face. “Wow! It’s perfect!” he cried out. “Thank you!”

Jacqueline felt a warm feeling grow inside her, melting away the sad and worried feelings she’d had before. She realized that her gift wasn’t really the tree or the ribbons—so it didn’t matter if those were perfect or not.

What she had really given Travis was love. Like Jesus would have done.

And she couldn’t wait to give it again.

Sheppard, Charlotte Mae. "A Tree for Travis." The Friend Dec. 2016: 4-5. Print.

The Tablecloth

 Pastor Rob Reid

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc. and on Dec 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On Dec 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.

On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry.

The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area. Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again. The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike? He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.